You already heard the first question, but give me a sense of when did you first start
doing this?
So when I first started fishing, it kind of started off with sucker fishing actually
with my dad and my family.
You know, we would go up into the rivers and just catch them by hands and then eventually
developed from there, you know, as a kid, one of the things we did over summer, which
we did almost every single day, was we would go to Lake Winnebago and actually just go off
a high cliff, you know, we didn't have a boat at that point, so it was just fishing
from those rock bars there and we were just pretty much go there every single day and
just try to get some white bass off the shoreline there and that's when I first fell in love
with it.
It was, you know, some days you go, you learn patience from that, you know, you'll go and
not catch a single fish one day, but the next day you go and you just completely hammer
them and that's what I really started to fall in love with fishing.
So did you live in an apple scenario or where did you live to go to the backside of Winnebago?
So I was born and raised in Green Bay, so I lived here my whole life.
I only left for a couple of years when I went to college at UW-Milwaukee and then of course
I came back here and didn't hear my whole life pretty much.
So you drive from Green Bay down to the high cliff?
Yes, we would drive.
Okay.
Drive about 30, 45 minutes to the high cliff every single day, I remember every single
day over summer, that's what we did.
If it wasn't raining or something like that, it would be a high cliff.
Okay.
And so as you got older, did you have like a preference between what species you were
going after and when you're a kid it's like what's easiest to catch, but at a certain
point to certain, this is what I want to go after.
So yeah, like any little kid, you know, you start off with pan fish, easy fish, and then
as I grew up, I went to white bass fishing through Winnebago there, but as I got older,
like I'm more experienced, I started getting to bass fishing, you know, small mouth,
large mouth.
It was just always so fun to fish them because they're so aggressive.
And then from there, you know, it kind of branched two ways.
It was either going salmon fishing, especially when I moved to Milwaukee, you know, Milwaukee
River is super underrated for salmon and trout fishing.
It's world class and I love it there.
And I do miss that kind of fishing, you know, always salmon fishing there.
But as I came back to Green Bay, I got a boat, you know, with Green Bay being in my
back door 10 minutes away, I just fell in love while fishing and that's kind of one
of my big species I always like to chase as walleyes.
What is it about walleyes that makes them like an apex for what people want to go catch?
So when in my mind, walleyes is probably one of the best eating fish, fresh part of fishing
area, but there's just something about these walleyes.
You know, you'll catch eater sized walleyes and then there's all of a sudden you catch
the 10 pounders, 30 inches and that'll just change your mind, you know.
One of the things I always like to tell people is like, especially when it comes to catching
big walleyes to the ice, when you see that big walleye through the ice hole, it makes
your heart pump like no other.
There's just, it makes for you, is it the moment when you feel hit or is it like when
it finally gets in the boat, what's that adrenaline course like for you?
So the first adrenaline will definitely be the thumb when they just smack your line,
you know, I love that feeling, but when they're on the edge of the boat or swimming next to
the boat or at the bottom of the hole and you see it's a giant, that's when it gets
your heartbeat and it's just a feeling you're always chasing when you're chasing walleyes.
And I mean, you could go out and you'd catch a lot of fish, but it doesn't get old.
No, that's the thing about fishing is like, you know, you'll one day you get your buck
completely woofed and then the next thing you go and completely smash them.
And that's the thing about walleyes is there's such a size variation, but when you get one
of those big ones that's 25 inches or plus 10 pounders, you know, that's when you start
getting really addicted to walleye fishing.
So talk to me a little bit about the mental game that comes with walleye, because there
really are kind of a picky, tricky fish at times and it's not, I mean, almost anyone
can go catch pan fish, which is why you bring kids together, but walleye requires
a different approach.
So walleye, I would have to admit it is, you know, not the easiest fish to catch out there,
you know, there's so many different techniques, you know, it's not like pan fishing, you put
something in front of their face and you're going to eat it.
There's been a couple instances where we went up to Sturgeon Bay and, you know, it's crystal
clear water there and you drop your lure right in front of their face and they'll just not
care.
These fish are lethargic and kind of plays by weather and kind of the season they're
in, you know, so in the spring run, they're not really aggressive because they're, you
know, they're doing their thing, you know, they're spawning, so you might get a bite
here and there and weather plays a big role, but one thing about walleyes is just, you
know, when they're on, you're going to really smash them and that's one of the reasons
I like them so much.
So when did you start adding YouTube into this?
So when I started adding YouTube, you know, there was always this mindset at the back
of my mind, I was like, you know, we always had one of those days, you know, where it
was like so awesome.
I wish we were to capture that moment and especially now with my kids, you know, it's
really nice to have that footage and go back and watch that kind of stuff and watch our
little memories together and, you know, that's one of the big things why I started filming
all my fishing and stuff.
It's just a good memory and I actually really enjoy doing it.
So when did you start doing that?
So I think I am in about five years ago now, something around there.
I started really getting into it and before that I would take my GoPro out and just, you
know, film, not really have, you know, anything footage out of it, but about five years ago
I started making the YouTube channel, making some content, pushing it out there and letting
the world see as well.
So what kind of feedback do you get from that channel?
So, you know, there's always positive and negative about, you know, fishing and stuff,
but a majority of it, especially when it comes to like fishing Green Bay for walleyes, you
know, almost anyone who hears about fishing walleyes in Wisconsin, they're going to be
thinking about Green Bay because it's has huge walleyes and that's what a lot of people
are chasing and people really do appreciate my videos.
They like to see like what I'm using, what I'm doing and where I'm fishing, you know,
to see what kind of bites going on during the time of season.
So is there a different feeling for you if you catch one while you're filming versus
if you catch it when you're not filming?
I swear every time I don't bring my camera, I always have one of my best days out there.
I swear, but you know, it's, there's a little bit of a weird feeling when I don't have
my camera these days, but, you know, I always do prefer to have it calling camera just sometimes
some really awesome stuff happen on the camera and, you know, it's nice to go back and watch
that and laugh about it when you're all done.
So talk to me a little bit about the like YouTube culture because there are people that
learn from them.
There's other people that just enjoy watching like that, that's, they don't have a chance
to do, but what is the audience you're reaching?
So mainly the audience I'm trying to reach is just people who have similar hobbies with
me like who like to fish and stuff like that, especially in the Wisconsin area.
A lot of my videos are going to be mainly focused on fishing Wisconsin and, you know,
especially green bays since it's so close, but most of the audience will pretty much
love fishing just like me and that's, that's why I kind of like doing it, we kind of build
a little bit of community, you know, every once in a while now I go on public, hey, you're
that guy that films YouTube for green bays, I was like, you know, and then it's, it's
kind of nice to meet people and grow in as, grow as a waller community.
So I mean, historically there's all sorts of, you know, these surrounding fishermen and
like the big story that the fish tails and everyone talks about like the lies that fishermen
tell them are afterwards, but how big it was and like you actually have the evidence.
Does that, is that in line with that same storytelling culture or on fishing or is that
kind of like putting the truth to that culture?
It's a little bit of both, you know, some days you still give that little fish tail
line, you know, we completely smashed them, but you didn't have the camera working or
something along the lines that, but it's definitely adds a lot of evidence to, you know, hey,
we really did have a good out day out there.
We had a lot of fun, you know, even though we didn't catch that many fish, we still
had so much fun out there, you know, and that's kind of why I like filming it too,
is because most of the time, you know, or half the time, it's not always about catching
fish.
Sometimes it's just about being out there hanging on with friends and just having a good time.
I mean, people have taken fish pics forever, I mean, that's always been like, since cameras
have been around, people catch a big fish, they want to take a picture of it or, you
know, text it on the wall, that's definitely in mind what you're doing, it's just an extension
of history, right?
Yeah, for sure.
I mean, like having fish mounted, you know, there's always a store behind it, but with
actually having a video of it, it's like, oh man, you can almost relive that good time
you had out there, you know, a lot of my videos, it's just pretty much hanging out with my
friends and we're fishing and doing stuff outside and, you know, when we rewatch it,
we can always have a good laugh together.
So a lot of the walleye fishing culture is dominated by older white men.
What's it like to be younger and to bring in a different audience or bring a different
perspective into that?
Like, are you trying to bring more people into it or what would you say to people like,
I don't know if that space is for me.
I definitely think that, yes, it is pretty segregated and all that's definitely a lot
more older white guys out there while fishing and that's kind of why I started this content.
No, I kind of see it in the younger generations.
You know, they are all about social media these days and I feel like the fishing industry
or just going out, going fishing and joined the outdoor is dying.
And that's kind of one of the reasons why I like doing this YouTube stuff.
You know, I want to show that, hey, you know, I'm out there, I'm filming, I don't have
a phone, you know, it could be out there doing it yourself and you don't have to be stuck
inside just scrolling through Facebook or social media like that, you know, there's
a life outside electronics.
Do you think that's important for people to hear that there is room for them out there
on the lake or on the ice?
Yeah, for sure.
I mean, there's always, there's so much opportunity to go out fishing, you know, you don't need
a big expensive boat, you just need a pole in the line and some worms and you're still
going to have a good time out there.
So that's the thing is like, you know, fishing can be so expensive, but it can be so cheap
as well at the same time and you can still have such an awesome time out there.
Yeah, I mean, your story starts with you being a kid just right off the shoreline, right?
And I'm sure you were using $80 rods and a fancy gear back then.
Yeah, my family, you know, my parents were a refuge from the Vietnam War.
So, you know, they came here not much and then, you know, we may do what we have growing up
and, you know, fishing was, you know, it was fun, but it was also putting food on the table.
So that's what I, you know, it doesn't take too much to get out there, you know.
So as far as food on the table, you talk about how good walleyes, do you like to do fish
fries?
Do you, I mean, it's stuck in the freezer and by having family over, is that a big part
of it?
So yeah, I love having fish fries, but lately I've been going on a diet, so I've been not
doing as much fish fries as I usually do, but there's nothing that can be a fresh fish
right off the river and just cooking right there, you know what?
I'm always a big guy, I'm not storing on the freezer, just because it's just not as
good as when it is fresh, you know.
So obviously you've got a couple of young kids, have they had a chance to, I mean, I
mean, some very young, but have they been out the boat with you?
Is that something that you can't wait to share with them?
Yeah, my daughter's been going out with me lately and she really enjoys it.
She's kind of wants to go fast on the boat right now, but she does like to reel in the
fish here and there every once in a while.
I mean, what is that element of that family part of it?
It means you're talking about fishing with your dad or your brothers or your siblings
and like how important is fishing culture to having friends and family around you?
I think fishing is fun, but you know, when you're all alone, all by yourself all the
time, it's not as fun as having a group or your family or your kids with you.
Even if, you know, it's easier to have more fun not catching fish with your friends and
family than it is when you're by yourself.
So like I always said, you know, if I'm going out there, I usually invite a home as a people
if they can come, they can, and it's always just more fun if you have more people with
you, no matter what you catch.
Catching fish is always just a bonus.
So I mean, what's it going to be like for your first time to see your kids reel in their
own big wildlife?
Oh man, the first time my daughter, hopefully the first time she catches it, hopefully it's
a 10-pounder, so I can put it on the wall, but I'm going to be ecstatic, you know.
She is just on the borderline of like really in her own fish, from your own cast and your
own line.
So it's coming up soon, but I just can't wait.
And I saw you got your son in a onesie about fishing.
Yeah.
I mean, part of that is important, like what you teach your kids when they're even that
young, and like that is part, I'm sure you were introduced to fishing at a younger
up age, that's just what you did, right?
Yeah, yeah.
As a parent now, you know, that's one big thing I'm trying to push, you know, try to
get away from electronics, tea, as much as you can, and you know, spending more time
with them, especially quality time outside doing the things I love, because I want them
to be doing what I love to in the future.
So another element of this story that we're looking at looks at all of the research and
all of the money that's pumped into groups that raise, you know, walleye fry to stock
its finger leaves.
And the amount of money that's spent to do these studies on walleye and walleye in some
places are not doing as well, and how to boost populations.
And it's a lot of money.
It's a lot of hours of a lot of volunteer time.
And I'm curious whether, how would you quantify whether it's worth it?
Because if walleye go down or disappear from some places, like other fish will still be
there.
So what is it about walleye specifically that makes it worth to do all this, to spend
all this money or all this to effort to make sure they're still there?
So you know, when it comes down to walleye fishing, you know, it's a crazy industry because
you know, a lot of people are buying like $100,000 bolts plus just to go chase walleyes.
And you know, when it comes for the springroom, especially here in Green Bay, you know, if
you ever showed up and seen the Fox River, first open water, you could literally walk
across the river on boats.
And you know, it's a crazy, crazy industry.
And I think that, you know, it's, no amount of money is, you know, you could put as much
money as you want into it, you know, there's no end to that.
And I think walleyes are specifically important because they're taste good and they're fun
to test and they get big and you know, it's, it's kind of its own little world, you know,
these fish are amazing creature in their own ways.
But you were talking about when you started what species you were targeting as you grew
up.
And you said you eventually kind of had those options you branched out, but what age were
you first aware that walleye was considered like different from some of the other things?
I would say when I was in my early teens or so, you know, you know, the thing about
it is like bass fishing is so addicting.
And then you get to a point where you're like, hey, you could pretty much throw anything
in front of a bass and they'll eat it.
And then you get to this next level, wait, these walleyes are different.
They take a little bit of skills where else you're never going to catch them.
And that's why I tell a lot of people come in my boat.
You got to know how to jig, you know, that's, I get this from my friends all the time because
I always tell them whenever I'm catching fish on a boat, they're not catching anything.
I always say, you know, you got to know how to jig and they always jokely say that to
me and say, hey, you got to know how to jig if I'm not catching anything.
But definitely walleyes is a different predator in some way.
It's definitely a little bit more tougher to catch and that's what makes them so much
more fun.
I mean, and so being successful though, kind of is a way to demonstrate your skill level.
It's a way of, I mean, if you say, if someone says, oh, I'm really good at catching pan
fish.
Okay.
But if you say, I'm really good at catching walleye and you've got the videos to prove
it.
Yeah.
You're looked at differently, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, definitely.
You know, walleyes, especially green bay.
If you look at green bay, it's huge body of water.
If you can, you know, put on a good day all on the bay, you know, you got something going
on, right?
And you definitely figure something out and don't pay like other fish.
You know, you just put it something in front of their face.
They're going to eat it.
But if you find all the walleyes in the world, some days they might not just eat it.
And then you just got to pick them apart.
You know, that's the fun of is you got to throw different things, you got to try different
cadences and different techniques.
And, you know, if you figure it out, it just makes it feel way better.
All right.
Anything else that you want to add that we've been talking about?
I just want to say that, you know, I believe walleyes are one of the best fish around in
this area, in Wisconsin area.
They're great to eat.
And, you know, living in Green Bay here, you know, I want the population to thrive so
my kids can enjoy them one day just like I am.
And you know, walleyes are important to me.
And that's why I'm involved in programs like walleyes for tomorrow and trying to improve
habitat and trying to make just better walleye fisheries around.
Can I get you to say and spell your name to sign a correct entertainment?
My name is Shia Vang.
Spell S-H-I-A-V-A-N-G.
All right.
And what's the name of your YouTube channel?
My YouTube channel is Shia's Outdoor Adventures.
Cool.
Everyone's so bad, right?
Oh.
Great.
Let's do a 20 seconds.
All right.
So we're just going to be quiet so we can record the sound of the room for a minute.
Okay.
That should work.